Byron Said:

I have some questions about four year olds, can anyone help?

We Answered:

My daughter turned 4 last month. I will answer according to her abilities.

1. She has it memorized. So, it looks like she's reading it. She is learning how to put sounds together, but can't read yet.

2. She has been able to talk in complete sentences for 2 years now. She says words like presumably and actually...but still says picuter for computer. Sometimes she will still say "f" instead of "th" (ex: free instead of three)

3. can't read yet

4. she has a good attention span...especially if it is for something she likes

5. she likes boys, but likes girls more. boys do not yet have cooties.

6. She typically likes veggies, but has gone on veggie strikes before. When it happens, I make her eat them before anything else on her plate.

7. I will adjust her punishment to fit the crime...it varies.

8. Kids don't go to school until they are 5-6. She isn't in school yet.

Todd Said:

Do you think I'll get into Polytechnic School?

We Answered:

Well, Poly only admits 20 - 25 in 9th, so it's very competitive. But they get quite a few applicants that aren't qualified, so it's not as bad as it seems. You do appear to be qualified to attend Poly. Your ISEE's are very good, but I know quite a few kids who applied to Poly in the last few years with similar scores, and 4.0 GPAs from the rigorous private K - 8's.

Poly usually sends out more acceptance letters than they have spaces, because some of the kids who are admitted choose to go elsewhere. But sometimes they take students off of the waitlist. It's not a ranked waitlist, it's more like a wait pool, where they try to replace the student who didn't accept with a similar student, like a girl for a girl. Your ethnicity doesn't really matter, I know some Asians in the area think so, but I know it doesn't, it's really not a problem being Asian.

Be sure your parents show up to everything and RSVP early. If Poly sends you a personal note or letter, or your tour guide does, be sure to respond. Poly gets insulted if you don't play the game. They're kinda uptight. For your interview, it's best to dress conservatively like a polo shirt or button up, and khakis or skirt (like a school uniform style skirt, pleated or not). I wouldn't wear jeans. Dress like that (polo, skirt) for schools with uniforms, but for Flintridge Prep, nice jeans and t shirts will make you look like you fit in.

Are you in a sport? That will likely be an important factor, as most Poly students play on at least one team, it's a "thing" with Poly. Did you visit Poly and know kids who attend there, or are you just going by their reputation? Did you get a good vibe on your visit? Poly kids tend to not be the most socially adept, the top students from the top local private K - 8s tend to prefer Prep, much more supportive community, similar (or more advanced) curriculum, etc, and it's about 30% Asian.

The very good students who are tired of very rigorous curriculum, they had enough in their K - 8s, choose Mayfield, Loyola, and FSHA, the first two being just a bit less rigorous than Poly and Prep, and FSHA a bit less than Mayfield and Loyola. The single sex schools are really popular now, whereas 3 years ago they were usually a last choice. La Salle is also a really good choice, and a good place to stand out. One of my son's friends who attends there, while they were one of the top students at their K - 8, they weren't at the very top, but they are at La Salle. They have great 4 year programs in the arts, media, etc. The girls at Alverno seem to love it, another option.

Attending private high school in the area means you'll be competing with kids who have been in private school since K, and the curriculum at some of them, like HPA, is far advanced compared to the top local public schools. The curriculum can be very different in classes of the same name. While you should be able to handle the curriculum at a school like Poly or Prep, it likely won't be easy and you may be in for a shock. You can expect 5+ hours of homework a night, plus on the weekend (sometimes more because of projects), and that's for the kids who are fast. You also have your 2+ hours of sports practice or arts rehearsal, plus community service. (Look into PISF.org if they have it at your high school, they do at Poly. Application due 1/14, so for 10th grade.) Many of the kids at Poly and Prep go to bed after 12m, many 1am or 2am, and these are very smart kids. Just make school your priority for the first semester, really get on top of it, and by the second semester you will be fine. Don't get discouraged, hang in there. This is what the headmasters tell the kids, especially those coming from public schools. Ask for help immediately when you need it. The other schools like Mayfield tend to have maybe 3 - 4 hours of homework a night.

If you don't get into Poly, the upside is that you likely have a better chance to attend a top college or Ivy (unless you are a legacy). What most parents and kids don't realize is that it is often the "extra" qualifications (legacy, generous parents, etc) that gets a kid into a top college, not their high school. Of course, the high schools take total credit, but as my dh participates in the admissions program for his Ivy alma mater, I can tell you it's not true. Your first line of competition for college are your classmates. (If you attend Poly, you'll feel that, not so much at the other high schools.)

I'm sure wherever you end up at high school you will do great, but I hope you get into Poly if that's what you want! Good luck!

Nellie Said:

Apraxia of Speech and 'Learning Disabilities' in Reading (Decoding).?

We Answered:

It's refreshing to see a school system over-react to a perceived learning disability rather than ignoring it.

However, "late-emergening" reading disabilities don't appear in good readers. They only appear in readers that were struggling but managing by memorizing words because they have poor decoding skills. Around 4th or 5th grade, the number of words a reader needs to know grows so much that memorization won't work any longer. If you were an advanced reader in 7th and 8th grade, you don't have a decoding issue.

This, however, isn't uncommon. I was diagnosed with a reading comprehension issue in 5th grade. As I read avidly and read my older sister's books as well as my own, my parents were understandably confused. When questioned about my reading comprehension, my response was why would I read if I didn't understand what I was reading. This reassured my parents and the issue was dropped. The real trouble was that I didn't like my reading teacher and refused to participate in her class any more than I had to, but that doesn't show up on tests.

When they say "reading is hesitant," they mean your reading out loud is hesitant. Of course, that's your apraxia rather than dyslexia, but they apparently missed that. I would definitely question the results of the testing.

The real issue is why did you fail Honors Chemistry. If it was too hard for you, you should have been moved to regular Chemistry. If you are overwhelmed or stressed, you should find a way to decrease your stress level. Don't let it go until you fail next time. Be proactive and ask for help or for a transfer to a lower level class.

You're obviously very bright and self-aware. Good luck to you.